News Security vulnerability on U.S. trains that let anyone activate the brakes on the rear car, was known for 13 years — operators refused to fix the is...

[Admin]

A security researcher discovered that the wireless RF communication between the first and last car of American trains isn't encrypted.

Security vulnerability on U.S. trains that let anyone activate the brakes on the rear car, was known for 13 years — operators refused to fix the is... : Read more

 

[Notton]

Why would the train operators fix it? That costs money!
At a time when they're reducing engineers, increasing train lengths, and running ever more dangerous trains for maximum profits, there's no way they'll fix it unless it becomes unprofitable.
They don't even care if the train doesn't fit inside a secured yard and allow the containers to get looted. (google LA and Chicago container train looting)

 

[coolitic]

I'm sorry, but isn't there an easily accessible emergency brake in every passenger car anyways?

 

[USAFRet]

I'm sorry, but isn't there an easily accessible emergency brake in every passenger car anyways?

Yes, but that requires physical presence.
And possibly being on camera.

Wireless can be done from outside the train.

 

[hugh crawford]

This is about activating the brakes on freight trains, possibly remotely or by a Pi and ta software defined radio module left near the track.
A train full of $300 sneakers stopped in an out of the way location would be problematic.

A train stopped on a switch with a mile long train of hazardous chemicals approaching would be very bad.

Having multiple trains across the country apply their brakes by remote control timed just so is one of those scenarios that would make a good movie but would suck in real life.

So, not remotely like pulling the emergency brake on a passenger train.

Also, sending telemetry to the effect that “everything Is fine” when it is not could be bad too.

But hey, the bad guys only have a couple of years of opportunity to figure this out.

Something like this so be trivial to pull off.

https://apnews.com/article/norfolk-...ated-braking-0bebaaf927ca061cddb691ea6cb1c599

 

[mike.stavola]

I'm sorry, but isn't there an easily accessible emergency brake in every passenger car anyways?

There aren't passenger cars on freight trains.

 

[cojofojo]

There aren't passenger cars on freight trains.

I would also imagine that applying any sort of emergency brake system initiates a controlled stop where all the brakes on all the cars are activated. I would think activating the brakes on a single rear car in an uncontrolled manner is more likely to derail the train.